Fairborn City Schools District is confronting a growing shortage of bus drivers that has left some parents upset about delayed or cancelled routes. The district says it is fully aware of the problem and is moving quickly to recruit and train new drivers.

Recruitment effort gains momentum

“We have about six to eight drivers that are going through the process right now, so hopefully the issue of canceled or delayed routes will be addressed very quickly,” said Chad Lensman, Director of Fairborn City Schools District. Lensman explained that hiring qualified drivers takes time, especially for those who do not already hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). “If you don’t have your CDL, you’re looking at four to eight weeks just to become a driver,” he added.

Training requirements and current staffing

Prospective drivers must complete 27 hours of classroom instruction and on‑the‑road training before they can take the wheel. The district currently employs 33 drivers, but there are 38 routes that need coverage. To bridge the gap, the district is calling on supervisors and mechanics to step in when needed.

“And we don’t want to have to cancel a route; that’s why we have some of our supervisors that drive,” Lensman said. “We have our mechanics that step up and drive.”

Parents’ concerns taken seriously

Parents have voiced worries about how to get their children to school when a route is cancelled. Lensman reassured families that students will not be penalized for circumstances beyond their control. “That is not their fault that they weren’t able to get there that day,” he said. “But we need to make sure they’re still receiving that instruction, receiving that support.”

Commitment to keeping kids in school

Lensman emphasized that the district and parents share the same mission: ensuring every child arrives safely at school each day. “We want to make sure our kids are in our building, and that’s what we’re working for right now,” he said.

Looking ahead

The district plans to continue its outreach to potential drivers, streamline the CDL training pipeline, and keep community members informed of progress. By leveraging existing staff and accelerating the hiring process, Fairborn City Schools hopes to restore full service to all routes before the end of the school year.

Community members are encouraged to stay in touch with the school board for updates and to consider volunteering if they have a CDL or can assist with transportation needs.

Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.